Middle Archaic LithicsMiddle Archaic Lithics

Addie HeyerAddie HeyerPA Archaeology Spring 2009

Kutztown University

Middle ArchaicMiddle Archaic

6,500 - 3,000 B.C. 6,500 - 3,000 B.C. Changing climates Changing climates

– hardwood forests farther north hardwood forests farther north – newly formed swamps, marshes, and river newly formed swamps, marshes, and river

islandsislands Northeastern natives adaptedNortheastern natives adapted

– still hunters and gatherers still hunters and gatherers – begin to show signs of sedentism begin to show signs of sedentism – evidence of the adaptation in the stone toolsevidence of the adaptation in the stone tools

Rare FindsRare Finds Coe Axiom theory by Louis Brennan in 1967 Coe Axiom theory by Louis Brennan in 1967

– only one projectile point type with one culture per only one projectile point type with one culture per time periodtime period

– shown to be inaccurateshown to be inaccurate– overlapping of lithic tool technologiesoverlapping of lithic tool technologies

inability to “appreciate variability”inability to “appreciate variability”– As a consequence difficult to identify stone tools as As a consequence difficult to identify stone tools as

specifically from the Middle Archaic specifically from the Middle Archaic not typically recognized unless not typically recognized unless

– specific stratigraphic setting specific stratigraphic setting sites can be disturbed sites can be disturbed

– specific radiocarbon dates specific radiocarbon dates carbon-14 dates may not be able to be specifically calibratedcarbon-14 dates may not be able to be specifically calibrated

Known LithicsKnown Lithics

Known Middle Archaic points:Known Middle Archaic points:– Bifurcate projectile points Bifurcate projectile points

LeCroy, St. Albans, and Kanahwa styles LeCroy, St. Albans, and Kanahwa styles

– Triangular projectile points (Abbot Farm)Triangular projectile points (Abbot Farm)– Kittatinny points (Harry’s Farm)Kittatinny points (Harry’s Farm)– Large stemmed-points (Piney Island)Large stemmed-points (Piney Island)

Ground stone tools suggest the beginnings of Ground stone tools suggest the beginnings of sedentism sedentism – Axes, gouges, grinding stones, and other tools used Axes, gouges, grinding stones, and other tools used

in the processing of plant materialsin the processing of plant materials

Known LithicsKnown Lithics

Known LithicsKnown Lithics

Marrow Mountain

Kirk Stemmed

http://www.westernartifacts.com/archaic.htm

Known LithicsKnown Lithics

Ground stone pestles and axe

Ground stone grinding stone

http://www.uiowa.edu/~osa/learn/ancient/groundstone.html